Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Nine & Epilogue

CHAPTER NINE

    Even though he maintained his composure while speaking, Jazz could tell that Optimus Prime was upset. Not necessarily with their failure to stop the Decepticons from getting away with Megatron's head, but with the general repercussions that the Decepticon's public presence would mean.

    "The Decepticons must be aware of our code of secrecy," the Autobot leader murmured as he paced through the command center. "They're trying to provoke us, have us 'come out of our shells,' so to speak."

    "While bringing back Megatron in the process," said Arcee as she leaned against a wall. The Autobot scout had recently returned to the base and reported her discovery of Megatron's headless body being extracted by the Decepticons.

    "So what do you suppose we do?" Ironhide asked. "Sit on our afterburners and let the Decepticons terrorize the humans? Or try to protect them and get flak in return? Either way, we lose."

    Laying on a repair slab while Ratchet fixed his leg, Sunstreaker scoffed. "Why should we care what the humans think, or what happens to them? We should spend more time on fixing the Ark and simply leave the humans--"

    Suddenly, Optimus was at Sunstreaker's bedside, startling both him and Ratchet. The Autobot leader jabbed a finger into the yellow mech's chest.

    "Do not finish that sentence," Optimus said sternly. "We do not abandon the needs of others for the sake of our own. If the humans require our protection from the Decepticons, we will give it to them, regardless of what the consequences mean for us. All life is precious; I will see to it that none of it is taken. Are we clear on that subject?"

    Taken aback by Optimus' stern lecture, Sunstreaker could muster a quiet, "Yes, sir."

    The Autobot leader relaxed. "Good. I know it may be a hard prospect for you to grasp, but--"

    "Prime," Prowl interrupted, "we have a transmission from Sector Seven."

    Optimus sighed. "From Agent Fowler, no doubt."

    "Guess again."

    Optimus turned to the viewscreen on the main computer and saw the gruff visage of a blond-haired man.

    "Director Joshua Red," the Autobot leader murmured. "How are you faring?"

    "Not too good, all things considered," the recently-appointed Director of Sector Seven said coldly. "I saw what your little fight did to Detroit."

    "That wasn't any of our doing!" Ironhide protested. "It was that Lugnut fella with that explosive punch of his!"

    Ignoring him, Red said to Optimus, "I hope you have a reasonable explanation for this."

    In quick order, Optimus explained to him about the reemergence of the Decepticons and their presumed plot to bring back Megatron. When he was done, Red's face was still its impassive self.

    "Let me get this straight," the Director said, "and correct me if I'm misreading into your story... but do you mean to tell me that you've pretty much brought your war to our world?"

    "That is a slight exaggeration of my statement," Optimus said. "And even if it wasn't, it is not because of us that the Decepticons have returned; like I've said, it's because of--"

    "Megatron," Red interjected. "So you say. But why have they picked now to return instead of a hundred years ago?"

    "I cannot answer that because I do not know," Optimus said quietly. "If we always knew what the Decepticons were up to, the war would have ended long ago."

    "I see." The Director made a steeple with his fingers. "Is there anyway for us to avoid your war? Anyway for you to take it away from Earth?"

    Optimus shook his head. "Only if we repair our ship or build a new one. Either option will take some time."

    Red sighed in exasperation. "So our world is doomed either way."

    The Autobot leader did not reply. After a tense silence, Red said, "I shall discuss with the security council on this matter. Director Red, out."

    When the Director's face had vanished, Sideswipe uttered a loud groan. "I think I'm starting to see where Sunstreaker's coming from. If the humans don't like us, why should we help them?"

    "They are merely concerned for their planet," Optimus said. "And I don't blame them. Knowing what our war did to Cybertron... I cannot stand the thought of the same happening to others."

    Silence reigned for some time. It was broken when Wheeljack rushed into the command center, carrying the device Verity had been brought to them.

    "Prime, you're not going to believe this," the Autobot inventor said. "I examined the device, like you said, and...."

    "What?" Optimus pressed. "What is it?"

    Wheeljack gave him a grave look. "It's definitely Cybertronian tech, but not just any Cybertronian tech. I think it came from the Institute."

*  *  *

    "All systems online. Spark pulse looking good. He's going to be fine...."

    Red optics flickered online as Megatron came to. Starscream was not sure whether to be pleased or upset by this, but he maintained a passive face. As the Decepticons leader, rebuilt into a new body larger and stronger than his previous one, sat up, Lugnut fell to his knees.

    "He lives! The glorious Megatron lives again!"

    At this, Megatron's metal brow furrowed in confusion. "Megatron? As in... as in the Fallen's forsaken name?"

    Starscream was taken aback by this. "Why, of course, my liege," he said warily. "It's the name you adopted for yourself when you took over the Decepticons--"

    "What?!" Megatron bellowed in alarm, jumping off the repair slab he had been laying on. "I am no Decepticon! I'm a commander of the Autobot Elite Guard!"

    Starscream exchanged bemused looks with Knock Out, while Lugnut began to tremble, visibly worried by this outburst.

    "You've never been one to joke, my liege," Starscream then said to Megatron. "Are you all right?"

    "Of course I'm not! I'm surrounded by Decepticons!" Megatron seemed to reach for a blaster rifle, only to realize none was present. It was then that he seemed to realize he was in a new body. He looked back up and stared at Starscream. "What... have you done to me?"

    Starscream's nonplussed expression was soon replaced by a cunning grin. "Oh, this is just too good...."

EPILOGUE

--113 Years Ago; moments before the Ark's crash--

    "The 'Cons are firing on us!"

    As flames erupted all around the plummeting Ark, another fire also burned-- within Megatron's very spark. It was the fire of anger.

    Starscream! He knew that it was the Air Commander who had ordered the Nemesis' attack on the Ark, despite knowing that the Decepticon leader was still on board.

    When I get my hands on that two-faced traitor, I'll--

    Before he could finish that thought, a blue fist collided into his face and Megatron went staggering back into the wall, pressed against it by the ship's failing gravity system.

    "It's over, Megatron," Optimus Prime muttered. "Regardless if I die as well, I'm going to make sure you do so with me."

    Megatron barked out a laugh. "You had your chance when you had your little tantrum. How can you hope to pull the trigger on me now if your 'good side' keeps getting in your way?"

    "Who says I need to pull the trigger on you?"

    Recovering a large blaster from a fallen Autobot, Optimus began to repeated shoot at the wall Megatron was pressed against. The weapon eventually tore open a hole that led into the planet's atmosphere. As the air threatened to pull Megatron out of the ship, the Decepticon leader struggled to escape it.

    "No! I cannot be denied of my destiny! I CANNOT BE DENIED!"

    "Too late."

    Optimus fired again, this time at Megatron's feet, and the Decepticon leader went flying out the ship, eventually catching fire as he plummeted towards the ground below. It wouldn't be long before the Ark did the same.

--60 years later (1961)--

    The industrial region near Portland, Oregon had not seen use in quite some time. That was just as well for Scorponok; that meant no humans would be present as he moved about in robot mode, in search of useful materials.

    As he recovered metal and steel of different sorts, a voice spoke in his head; it was that of his binary-bonded partner, Abraham Dante.

    Cybertronian signature detected.

    Looking up in intrigue, Scorponok abandoned his scavenging for the time being and made his way towards the source of the signature. It did not take long for him to find it.

    There, at the bottom of a deep crater, was the ruined, deactivated body of Megatron.

    Scorponok grinned wickedly, nefarious schemes already running through his head. "Oh, this is just too good...."

TO BE CONTINUED

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Waiting was not a practice Starscream enjoyed. He was the type of commander who required results immediately and not just "in a few hours." And yet that was what this simple task was taking.

    While Skywarp, Thundercracker, and others had succeeded in recovering Megatron's body, they had found it without a head. And now Lugnut and Blitzwing's search for what they thought was an AllSpark shard had changed to a search for their leader's head.

    Starscream cursed silently to himself. The only reason he was spending this much time to find and restore Megatron, after having left him for dead over a hundred years ago, was because the Decepticon Empire was slowly falling apart under his own rule. He needed Megatron to keep it from crumbling any further while he tried to figure out a better way to control the Decepticons.

    Interrupting the pro tempore Decepticon leader's thoughts, Soundwave said, "Thundercracker and the others have returned to the Nemesis, with Lord Megatron's body."

    "Wonderful," Starscream said dryly. "Now to wait for Blitzwing and Lugnut to return with the rest of him."

    Leaning idly against a wall, Knock Out said, "Makes you wonder how he lost his head in the first place."

    Starscream glared at the red-armored medic. "Perhaps it would. But that can wait for another time... just like how I'm waiting here."

    Knock Out smirked. "You could go down there yourself and make things go faster."

    "Yes, I could." Starscream pivoted to fully face the red sports car. "And in the meantime, you could run things from here, spending most of the time admiring yourself in the mirror while directing the Vehicons to redecorate this ship top to bottom, bow to stern, to your liking instead of making yourself useful by assisting me in 'making things go faster.'"

    Knock Out beamed. "Yes, I could." He then blinked, his face falling. "Oh. You were being sarcastic."

    Starscream expressed his irritation with a facepalm. "Yes. I was."

    Turning to Barricade, who was also acting idle by furling and unfurling his buzzsaw-mace, the Seeker said, "Watch over thing from here while Knock Out and I go down to ground. And the ship had better be how I left it when I get back."

    Barricade smirked. "Aye aye, captain."

*  *  *

    "Have I ever mentioned how much I hate this guy?" Ironhide muttered as he fired his arm cannons at Lugnut. 

    The massive Decepticon was practically absorbing the hits the Autobots threw at him and returning them with stronger attacks, mostly courtesy of his large mace.

    "You think you hate him?" Sunstreaker snapped, crouched behind a toppled-over delivery truck. "His blasted mace scratched my finish! He's gonna pay for that!"

    "Stop focusing on yourself and focus on the 'Con, 'Streaker!" Jazz said sharply, scoring a shot on Lugnut's right shoulder (through it didn't do much good). "And keep an eye out for collateral damage! We're risking enough as it is by showing ourselves!"

    Sunstreaker scoffed. "As if I care about what the humans--"

    The yellow Autobot was cut off when a missile launched from Lugnut's back impacted into the delivery truck. The resulting explosion sent him flying several meter, landing hard on his back with a bent leg.

    "Isn't that what the humans call karma?" Sideswipe said with a smirk. "Or is that irony?"

    Sunstreaker glared at him. "Shut up and get me to safety."

    "Pathetic fools!" Lugnut bellowed, raising his mace to the sky. "You cannot hope to defeat me! With the blessing of the glorious Lord Megatron on my spark, I--"

    "Ooh, speak of the devil! Look who I have here!"

    His largest optic dilating, Lugnut looked up to see Blitzwing hovering over him. Raised high over the Triple Changer's head was a large piece of concrete with a metal case attached to it. Danging from that on a mess of wires was Megatron's head.

    All four Autobots stared in shock. "What the spark...?" Ironhide murmured in disbelief.

    The Random persona of Blitzwing cackled. "What do you think, Lugnut? Will it make a decent decoration?"

    Lugnut looked as if he was about to answer but seemed to decide that he wouldn't dignify his partner's rambling. Instead, he turned back to the Autobots and converted his arm into its atomic punch position.

    "It appears we have what we came here for," the large Decepticon said. "Farewell."

    Out of alarm, Blitzwing switched to his Angry persona. "Wait, Lugnut! I'm not out of the--!"

    Ignoring his partner, Lugnut brought his fist down.

*  *  *

    The sight of a massive explosion reflected off of the canopy shield of the gray F-15 Eagle now approaching the city of Detroit.

    Note to self, Starscream thought, never-- ever-- send Lugnut on important or covert missions.

    Driving on the ground below him, Knock Out said, "Think there's anything left to salvage from this operation?"

    "Hopefully enough to bring back our 'glorious' leader," Starscream said bitterly. "Drive by and see what's going on."

    Revving his engine, the red sports car sped into the city while the gray jet lingered behind. Driving past frightened civilians-- who were too panicked to notice the driverless automobile-- Knock Out eventually reached a large crater. At the bottom of the pit was Lugnut, as well as four, seemingly unconscious, Autobots.

    Knock Out revved his engine again to get the Decepticon brute's attention. "Any progress? Or have you just been destroying things?"

    Lugnut glared at him. "We have recovered Lord Megatron's head."

    "Oh? I don't see it anywhere."

    "It's with Blitzwing, wherever that lunatic landed." Lugnut then jumped out of the crater and transformed into his bomber plane form. "Come. Let us find him and see to our glorious leader's restoration."

    "Right," Knock Out murmured as he drove after the bomber.

*  *  *

    Captain Fanzone stood on the edge of the large crater, Phil at his side, watching as the four robots slowly returned online and began to get back to their feet.

    Watching in amazement, Phil said, "Well? Sumdac tech gone rogue or what?"

    "Don't know, don't care," Fanzone said. "We need to immobilize them or something before they destroy another quarter of the city."

    "That won't be necessary."

    Both cops turned to see a tall, blond-haired man in a dark suit arriving at the scene, flanked by similarly-dressed men. His stone-hard face matched the cold gaze he put on Fanzone.

    "Who the devil are you?" the police captain demanded.

    "None of your business," the man said curtly. "You may address me as Mr. Red and nothing more."

    He gestured at the fallen robots. "These mechanical beings are a matter of national security. I shall attend to them while you attend to your citizens, captain."

    Fanzone regard Mr. Red skeptically. "And what about the damage done to the city? You expect me to wave a magic wand to fix it?"

    "We shall cover the costs of repairs. Just let us do your job while you do yours."

    Fanzone snorted. "Whatever you say, Mister whatever."

    In short order, a group of rescue helicopters came to extract the four robots from the crater before loading them onto a transport plane. They then took off towards the west while Mr. Red drove away in a fancy black SUV. Fanzone watched them leave before turning back to the damaged city.

    "This is why I hate machines."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Captain Carmine Fanzone, chief of Detroit Police, had woken up this morning expecting the day to be an average one-- as average a day could be in Detroit, anyway. Regardless of how many crooks he had to catch or murders to investigate, there was one thing he definitely was not counting on.

    Giant robots. Or, rather, phony reports of them.

    He could see the damage done to the military base just fine; he couldn't deny that something had happened here. But he would believe in unicorns and flying pigs before he would believe that this was the work of giant robots.

    When he said as much to one of his officers-- whose name badge read "Phil Nicholson"-- the other cop gave him a look.

    "So would you believe me if I told you this was the work of Barney and Kermit the Frog?"

    "Don't get wise with me, son," Fanzone said sharply. "I think we have an arsonist at hand or something." 

    Phil looked doubtful as he observed the damage. "If that was true, then everything would be burned down to the ground. Maybe someone got their hands on Sumdac tech and used them to make weapons."

    Fanzone opened his mouth to reply but stopped when something caught his eye. Flying through the sky were two jets-- one a bulky bomber, the other a sleek fighter. The first thing that alarmed him about this (besides the fact that the fighter was purple) was that they were both military vehicles acting against regulations by flying close over the city.

    The other thing was that they were heading straight for the center of Detroit's technological advancement: Sumdac Systems.

*  *  *

    Isaac Sumdac could not ask for a better life. As one of the richest people in Detroit, he was the proud founder and CEO of Sumdac Systems and an even prouder father of a beautiful daughter. Because of him, technology was now more efficient, and if his prototype automatons proved a success, it would only improve here.

    But now, as he looked out his large office window, he was beginning to have his doubts on whether he would live long enough to see it all come to fruition.

    As the jets came shooting towards the tower that was the centerpoint of his business, Sumdac jumped out of his seat and ran towards the door just as the purple fighter jet crashed through the window, taking a good portion of the wall with it.

    Knocked off his feet by the incident, Sumdac scrambled back as, before his shocked eyes, the jet began to shift its shape, eventually ending up as a towering metal giant. Its red optical sensors, glowing from a cool blue face, peered at Sumdac menacingly.

    "Allow me to get to the point before I kill you," it said in perfect English, albeit with a slight German accent. "Where is Megatron?"

    Sumdac's mouth quivered. "I--I... what?"

    "Did I stutter? No, because I'm a robot." The mechanical being sneered. "Where. Is. Megatron?"

    Before the scientist could answer, the bomber jet flew in next to its partner and changed shape as well. Its robot form was even larger than its comrade and, even while kneeling, nearly crushed the ceiling with its head.

    "Speak, human! Or else I'll destroy you and everyone in this building!"

    "No, don't!" Sumdac cried. "I don't know what a Megatron is!"

    "If you insist on speaking nothing but lies, then you shall never speak again." The bomber jet robot raised its right arm and converted its fist into a pressure pad of sorts.

    Before the giant could bring its arm down, something shot at it in the back. Though it seemed more irritated than in pain, the robot whirled around to see a military transport plane hovering outside the tower.

    And standing on its boarding ramp were four more giant robots.

    Not being able to take anymore surprises, Isaac Sumdac fainted.

*  *  *

    "Autobots," Lugnut growled. "Just what we needed."

    "Indeed," Blitzwing said as his "cold" face switched to his "angry" one. "I've been itching for some practice."

    "But what about Megatron? What if the Autobots get to him first?"

    Blitzwing sighed as he returned to his calm face. "Fine. You handle them while I find Megatron."

    Lugnut nodded curtly before launching himself up into the air, colliding into the transport and bringing it and its Autobot passengers down to the ground. Their impact created a medium-sized crater... and probably a few crushed humans.

    Once the dust had settled, Lugnut straightened up and waited for the four Autobots-- Jazz, Ironhide, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker-- to get to their feet. He could have easily destroyed them all and a good portion of the city right then and there, but he had gone over a hundred years without a good fight. He was in the mood for some amusement.

*  *  *

    The light brown tank tore through Sumdac Tower, firing at anything that got in its way. The energon reading Blitzwing had detected earlier was there again, growing stronger as he went. 

    He eventually reached what appeared to be the source of the signature. Converting to his robot mode, Blitzwing smashed through a wall and ended up in a rather large chamber; large enough for him to stand up straight. Strange that humans would require this big a room, he thought.

    He quickly found out why.

    Placed in the center of the room, a large mass of wires connecting it to the ceiling, was the disembodied head of Megatron.

    Blitzwing's mouth fell agape. "Oh, my...."

    He carefully approached the head, glancing nervously at the wires. What were they connected to in the ceiling? Were they some sort of life-support for Megatron? If so, disconnecting them would surely bring an end to the Decepticon leader's life.

    Not that he would necessarily miss him, but he would definitely prefer Megatron as leader rather than Starscream.

    Blitzwing looked back down at the head. Megatron's red optics were glowing but not staring at anything in particular. This worried Blitzwing; was the Decepticon leader effectively brain dead?

    All of these questions made Blitzwing's scrambled brain module ache. His optics searched for an answer, while his third, "random" personality threatened to take over him.

    Think straight. Think straight. Unable to do so with Megatron's face right in front of him, Blitzwing hovered up from the ground with his thruster boots... and instantly came to a stop halfway towards the ceiling. It wasn't anything he saw or realized that stopped him.

    He simply blew a fuse.

    Switching his face to its random, Jack-O'-Lantern-styled visage, he shot up further towards the ceiling and crashed through the roof.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

    Night had descended over the city of Detroit. The slightly-overweight man stood guard at the quiet military base, though he was not very good at it. In fact, he was reclining in a chair, sleeping, with a magazine and a half-eaten doughnut resting on his chest.

    Pathetic, was the only word Lugnut could think of that could properly describe the flesh creature and all of its kind.

    Disguised in the form of a jet bomber, hidden amongst others of its type, Lugnut spoke to the purple fighter jet that was his companion. "Anything yet, Blitzwing?"

    "Negative," was the icy reply. The Decepticon Triple Changer stood out jarringly while amid the other jets; some of the humans stationed here were more than a little suspicious of him-- too much for Lugnut's liking. But since converting to his more natural-looking tank mode would only unleash the destructive maniac that Blitzwing truly was, it was probably for the best that he stayed in jet mode.

    "I thought you said you detected an energon reading," Lugnut growled.

    "I did," Blitzwing said irritably. "And now I can't find it anymore. It's like it disappeared."

    "Energon signatures don't just disappear. Do you know where it's coming from?"

    "Like I said to you before, it's something at this military base--"

    "But WHERE?" Lugnut roared.

    "Who goes there?!"

    The two Decepticons fell silent, for the human guard had awoken. It had slipped Lugnut's mind to communicate with Blitzwing via internal radio.

    "Slag," Blitzwing muttered. "What do we do?"

    "Remember when Starscream told us that subtlety was key?" Lugnut asked.

    "Yes?"

    "Time to disregard that."

    A strange cackled emitted from the jet. "I like the way you think."

    As one, the two fliers began to change shape. With each part that moved into place, the guard's eyes grew wider and wider in terror. Once the two Decepticons had completed their transformation, the human turned and fled.

    Lugnut morphed his arm into its "explosive punch" position and thrust it into the ground. In mere second, the military base was up in flames.

*  *  *

    "So...." Standing idly against the railing of the second floor, Hunter watched as the two Autobot brothers, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker- played a game that reminded him of chess. "How did you guys end up here?"

    "Long story," Sideswipe said. "Like, seriously, it took Prime over an hour to explain it all to Agent Fowler. In short, we were being chased by the Decepticons, then we got hit by an asteroid, crashed here, and fell asleep for a hundred years or so."

    "So how did you wake up and become buddies with these 'Men in Black'-type guys?"

    "Our ship crashed into a volcano and when it erupted, it woke us up," Sideswipe explained. "Shortly before then, Sector Seven discovered us and, though it took some time, we became 'buddies'... kinda."

    Sunstreaker scoffed. "I think Ratchet should diagnose you with Exposition Disease."

    Sideswipe glared at him. "You just made that up. Look, how else am I supposed to explain it?"

    "By keeping your mouth shut. These humans don't have to know everything. In fact, they shouldn't even be here in our base."

    Hunter cleared his throat, hoping to diffuse the tension. "So, uh, what do you guys do here? Just hang out?"

    "Pretty much," Sideswipe said. "Every once in a while, we go scouting, mainly to learn more about this planet. Of course, not all of us go scouting...."

    He eyed his brother, who simply rolled his optics in response.

    Before Hunter could ask another one of his 110 questions, an alarm blared and both Autobot brothers shot to their feet.

    "Scrap, no one told me this place had an alarm!" Sideswipe exclaimed.

    Prowl came rushing into the room, along with Jazz and Ironhide. "There's been a Decepticon sighting," the police car Autobot said dourly. "In Detroit, Illinois."

    "What?" Sunstreaker said. "That's nearly across the country! By the time we'd get there, the 'Cons will have leveled the place!"

    "You mean none of you guys can fly?" Hunter asked. "Can't you like... scan a jet or something to turn into?"

    Prowl shook his head. "We can only scan forms similar to the ones we were built with on Cybertron. Unfortunately, very few of us on the Ark were jets, and those few are currently still in stasis."

    "What are we supposed to do, then?" Ironhide asked.

    Prowl sighed. "We'll have to ask Sector Seven to send for transport. Hopefully it will be able to get here in time."

    To Jazz, he said, "Take Ironhide and Sideswipe with you. They're the toughest Autobots currently available."

    Sunstreaker made a revving sound, akin to a human clearing their throat.

    Prowl glanced at him. "And bring Sunstreaker too so he doesn't drive the rest of us nuts."

*  *  *

    A solitary blue motorcycle drove down an old country road, leaving a trail of dust in its path. It was around this area, just on the highway up ahead, that the three Decepticons which Bumblebee encountered had been.

    Of course, Arcee knew that they were long gone by now. But she was still getting a strong energon reading on her scanner.

    Taking a detour off the road, she headed in the direction of the signal, which grew stronger the further she went. By the time she finally reached its source, night had fallen and she had arrived at an industrial area-- seemingly an abandoned one, for no humans could be spotted.

    As such, Arcee transformed to her robot form and began to sneak around. She could hear voices not far from here; gruff, robotic voices.

    Decepticons.

    Pressing herself against a building, she looked around the corner. Immediately, her spark jumped in surprise. There were indeed Decepticons-- at least five of them-- and they were extracting something out of a large crater.

    It was the headless body of Megatron.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Five

EDITED 8/24/2016 Changed Spike's real name since I'm working on a backstory for the Witwicky family

EDITED 2/13/2024 Changed Sparkplug Witwicky's profession from oil rig to salvaging company.

CHAPTER FIVE

    "Name?"

    "Hunter O'Nion," the red-haired teen said, straightening his green "Alien Death Ray" shirt. "That's 'oh-nigh-on', not 'onion.'"

    "Where are your parents?" Agent Fowler asked.

    "Both gone. I'm living with my uncle in Portland."

    "How did you come to be involved with the Autobots?"

    "I saw two driverless cars going down the highway and wanted to show my friend Spike. So we went to Jimmy's shop and... stuff happened."

    "Yes, Mr. Pink gave me a full rundown of what happened," Fowler murmured. "Thank you for your cooperation. Any questions?"

    "Can I--"

    "Too bad." Fowler started to rise from his seat but then stopped. "Wait... what were you going to say?"

    "Can I-- I mean, may I use the restroom?" Hunter smiled weakly. "I... kinda need to go."

    Fowler stared at him blankly before saying, "Down the hall, third door to the right."

*  *  *

    "Name?"

    "Verity Carlo." The black-haired girl folded her arms across her chest, looking as if she had better things to do.

    "Where are your parents?"

    "No idea."

    Fowler raised an eyebrow. "Any guardians?"

    "Nope."

    "I see." Fowler tapped his lips with his pencil, looking down at his notes, before saying, "How did you come to be involved with the Autobots?"

    "I found this device thing and wanted to show it to Jimmy. Then all heck broke loose."

    Fowler nodded. "Thank you for your cooperation. Any questions?"

    Silence.

    "Very well. Wait outside the hall."

*  *  *

    "Name?"

    "Spike Witwicky," the dark-haired boy said, looking around nervously.

    Fowler lifted his gaze to him. "Birth name."

    Spike sighed. "Steven Witwicky. But my friends call me Spike."

    "I'm not your friend. Where are your parents?"

    "In Portland. My dad runs a salvaging company."

    Fowler nodded. "Mr. O'Nion told me that he took you to Mr. Pink's repair shop to witness two driverless cars going down the highway. Is that true?"

    "Yup. I mean; yes, sir."

    "Very well. Thank you for your cooperation. Any questions?"

    "Does this place have air conditioning?" Spike fanned himself with his hands. "It feels humid in here."

    "Take it up with the big giant robots. Dismissed."

*  *  *

    The shock he had felt earlier beginning to fade away, Jimmy Pink looked on in fascination as the Autobots moved about their base.

    Two of them- one red, the other yellow- were playing catch with a giant metal ball. Nearby, stationed at a large monitor, was a white and red robot, who was clearly perturbed by the sport. Lastly, standing off to the side, were two bots both colored in white and black, though one sported blue and red stripes. They appeared to be deep in conversation.

    Jimmy broke away from the sight when a door opened behind him and Hunter, Spike, Verity, and Agent Fowler stepped out. The latter bushed past Jimmy and walked up to the railing that overlooked the first floor.

    "Prowl!" he called to the stripeless white and black Autobot. "I need to speak with Prime."

    Prowl nodded and pressed a button on the side of his head, speaking into a built-in comlink. Moments later, Optimus Prime emerged from his office, Bumblebee right behind him.

    "Yes, Agent Fowler?" the Autobot leader asked.

    "I've spoken with the kids," Fowler said. "I can safely say that they are not sleeper agents for Sector Seven or any... rival organizations."

    Hunter looked at him aghast. "What made you think we were?!"

    Fowler ignored him. "However, unlike most agents in my field, I do not like the idea of erasing their memories. I propose an alternative solution."

    Optimus nodded for him to continue.

    Fowler took a deep breath, prepared to have his idea shot down. "I suggest that four Autobots be assigned to them as guardians."

    "What?!" the tall yellow Autobot exclaimed in disbelief, dropping the metal ball.

    "It's too dangerous to just send them back to their homes without any protection," Fowler went on. "Even if we put them into custody, they'd be at risk and the Decepticons- if they are indeed back- could easily track them down. So they will need Autobot guardians to protect them from such attacks."

    The same yellow Autobot scoffed. "Since when did we become pet-sitters?"

    "Quiet, Sunstreaker," Optimus said sternly. To Fowler, he said, "Your idea is sound, Agent Fowler. I shall assign them guardians immediately."

    "Good," Fowler said. "I'll let you handle things from here. I still need to come up with a cover story for the incident."

    With that, the special agent left, leaving the four teens alone with the Autobots. After a bout of awkward silence, Jimmy decided to break it.

    "So, uh, do we get to pick our guardians, or...?"

    "We aren't exactly automobiles you can browse at a car lot," Prowl said stiffly. "I'm sure Prime will assign us as he sees fit."

    "Actually," Optimus said, "I think this is the perfect opportunity to get to know these humans and them us."

    Prowl opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by the blue-striped Autobot. "I'm all for it. Earth is pretty groovy, so I'd love to get to know it better."

    Verity's mouth fell open. "Did... did he just say 'groovy?'"

    The Autobot chuckled. "Sure did. Name's Jazz. Probably explains a lot, I know."

    "Were you always called that?" Hunter asked. "Even on your homeplanet?"

    "Well, technically, my name's translated from Cybertronian, which you guys probably can't pronounce... but yeah, it's always been Jazz."

    A wide grin broke out on Spike's face. "I think I'm going to like it here."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

    William Fowler, special agent of Sector Seven, was not in a good mood.

    As he stormed into the hidden Oregon base, he straightened his necktie and tried to look composed, but he knew the look would falter the moment he entered the next room. A pair of doors slid open and he stepped out into the main chamber. The sight which greeted him him was one he'd never thought he'd see in his entire life.

    Two giant robots playing catch.

    A large ball of metal nearly brushed past Fowler as he reached the railing of the second floor. It ended up in the hands of a red and black Autobot, who was about to throw it back to his yellow co-player when he noticed Fowler's presence.

    "Uh-oh, look out," Sideswipe said sardonically. "The big guy is here."

    Fowler gave him a scathing look for the obvious jab at his rather out-of-shape appearance before saying, "Where is Optimus Prime?"

    "Who wants to know?" asked Sunstreaker, the yellow Autobot.

    "Me, the President, national security... lots of folks you wouldn't want to mess with."

    "That bad, huh?" Turning his head to an adjacent room, Sideswipe called, "Prime, Agent Fowler is here."

    Stepping out of the room was a tall metal giant colored in red and blue. A mouthplate concealed most of his features, save for a pair of blue optics. Smokestacks on his shoulders, a pair of windows on his chest, and a large grill on his abdomen indicated that he transformed into a truck of some sort.

    In a deep, booming voice, Optimus Prime said, "How may I be of service, Agent Fowler?"

    Struggling to maintain his composure, Fowler said, "There have been local reports of an incident on a highway not far from here. Witnesses say that they saw three- no, four giant robots duking it out." He lifted an eyebrow. "Any ideas?"

    Optimus was silent for a moment before speaking. "You know that my Autobots would never reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary."

    "I know that. And perhaps one of the four was an Autobot who was forced to reveal themselves in this scenario. But what about the other three?"

    Despite being made of metal, Optimus' face seemed to cloud over. "I do not know of any other Cybertronians who would be here on Earth... except maybe the Decepticons."

    "The Decepticons? I thought you said they presumed you guys dead and abandoned Earth."

    "I did indeed say that. Apparently, for whatever reason, they've decided to return after over a century and now know of our presence."

    "That right?" Fowler asked. "Who do you think was the Autobot who confronted them? Maybe he or she could confirm our suspicions."

    "The only Autobots active out of base at the moment are Arcee and Bumblebee. I shall contact them and--"

    "No need."

    Optimus and Fowler turned to see a yellow hatchback drive into the base. To both of their surprise, it carried four young humans. They climbed out of the car before it transformed into the Autobot known as Bumblebee. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Optimus Prime.

    "Bumblebee," the Autobot leader rumbled, disapproval in his voice. "What... is the meaning of this?"

    The young Autobot looked guilty. "I... have brought four humans to the base," he said, clearly at a loss for anything else to say.

    "Bumblebee, unless these children are Sector Seven personnel- which I highly doubt- then you'll have to send them back out. After we erase their memory banks, of course."

    "Erase our-?" The red-haired human male at Bumblebee's feet looked terrified. "This is an alien abduction, isn't it?"

    Ignoring him, Bumblebee said, "But, sir, the Decepticons were chasing them. They wanted a piece of Cybertronian tech from them."

    "Cybertronian tech?" Bemused, Optimus Prime slowly lowered himself onto one knee to be at rough eye contact with the humans. He held out a hand. "May I see?"

    Shaking uncontrollably, a brown-haired boy stepped forward and placed a small, tablet-like device in his metal palm. Optimus then brought it closer to his face to scrutinize it.

    After a few minutes had passed, Fowler said, "Well? What is it?"

    "The exterior is not necessarily made of Cybertronian metal," Optimus replied. "But I am detecting energon readings from it. I will give it to Wheeljack for examination."

    "And the kids?"

    Optimus glanced at them for a moment, seeing them watching him and the other Autobots in terror, before turning back to Fowler. "Can you properly deal with them?"

    Fowler nodded. "It's part of my job, so I will have to." He beckoned them to follow him before glancing back at Optimus. "So the Decepticons are back, aren't they?"

    "It would appear so."

    "How are we going to deal with them?"

    For once, the Autobot leader looked unsure. "Until something occurs for us to respond to, we can only wait. I'll contact Arcee and ask her to look into it."

    "What about me?" Bumblebee asked.

    Optimus Prime affixed him with a stern look. "You will be coming to my office for a debriefing."

    As the two Autobots left, the younger one with a sullen expression, Fowler couldn't help but smirk. In some ways, these alien robots were more like than unlike humans.

*  *  *

    "How come you didn't have us chase after him?"

    Having returned to his police car form, Barricade responded to Runabout via internal radio. "Because that was never the intention. Our intent was to make ourselves known so that the scout would report to his superiors."

    "But what about the device the humans had?" Runamuck asked.

    "We'll worry about it another time," Barricade said. "For now, let us await further orders from Starscream."

    "Isn't it still 'Lord Starscream?'"

    "For the time being, Runamuck," Barricade muttered. "For the time being."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

    Pieces of glass flew everywhere as the two cars crashed into the building. Laying on the ground, Spike covered his head as shrapnel rained down on him, scraping his knuckles.

    For a moment, everything was at a stand still. Then a gruff voice emitted from one of the cars. "Hand over the device."

    Spike glanced at Jimmy, who was still holding onto the device Verity had given him. The young mechanic, frozen in terror, did not move. The cars angrily revved up their engines.

    "I said hand over the device!"

    Trembling with fear, Jimmy got up shakily to his feet and turned to face the driverless black and red car. Focusing his gaze on the empty driver's seat, he held up the small computer. 

    "H-here, sir. It's all yours. Take it."

    "Thanks." Upon saying that, Spike expected the black sports car's drive to emerge from the vehicle somehow, despite not being seen. Something completely different occurred.

    The front of the car split apart down the middle and extended forwards, its bumper and headlights flipping up. The doors folded down like panels and giant, metal arms sprouted from the sides, using themselves as leverage to push the rest of the car up to stand on its front, which now resembled legs. As the trunk tucked itself into the back and the roof slid up, a head emerged from a crevice in the newly-formed torso, red optical sensors flaring on a black faceplate.

    All four kids froze in shock. Not a scream nor a whimper was uttered. To Spike, it was as if everyone had begun to think they were dreaming and were waiting to wake up, only to realize that this wasn't a dream.

    The metal giant bent itself down and stretched out an awaiting hand. "The device, human."

    Jimmy did not move. The massive robot narrowed its optics. "The device. Now."

    Hunter was the first one to find his voice and he released it as a scream. "RUN!"

    The four of them scurried from the giant and hastily made for Jimmy's car. The robot's brief confusion at this motion bought them enough time to climb into the yellow hatchback and start up its engined. As they took off, the giant morphed back into its sports car form and took pursuit, its partner close behind.

    The roar of engines could be heard all the way down the highway.

*  *  *

    Parked just off the road, the solitary policeman watched as automobiles drove down the highway past his car, moving at appropriate speeds. The sight was rather mundane and the cop felt boredom tiring him out.

    The loud roar of engines brought him back to attention and he looked in time to see three cars zoom by. One was a small, yellow hatchback, occupied by four terrified teens. The other two- black and white respectively, but otherwise identical- lacked any occupants whatsoever and seemed to be moving on their own accord.

    A strange smirk crossed the officer's face. Starting up and activating its siren, the police car joined in the pursuit.

*  *  *

    "Can't you go any faster?" Verity screamed as they sped down the highway in Jimmy's hatchback.

    "If I put any more pressure on the accelerator, the tires will burns off!" Jimmy shouted back. "This is an old car, you know!"

    "They're gaining on us!" Hunter said, panic in his voice. "And now there's a cop, too!"

    "Why doesn't he pull over the driverless cars?" Verity said. "They're the ones chasing us! And without any drivers!"

    "I guess he doesn't care!" Jimmy said as, despite his own words, he slammed on the accelerator. However, instead of going faster, the car abruptly stopped.

    Jimmy opened his mouth to curse at the vehicle but instead screamed as he, Spike, Verity, and Hunter were shot out of their seats and onto the road. Then, before their very eyes, the yellow hatchback began to change shape....

*  *  *

    As he finished his transformation, Bumblebee felt some parts of him pop. He hadn't changed shape in a few weeks, so it felt refreshing to be in his natural form.

    Morphing from their alternate modes as well were the Decepticon twins Runamuck and Runabout, along with the police car Barricade. The odds were definitely not in his favor, but as an Autobot, it was his duty to defend the humans from them.

    Stepping ahead of the other two, Barricade grinned menacingly. "Well, well, if it isn't Optimus Prime's favorite little scout. What are you doing so far from home?"

    "Doing scout stuff," Bumblebee said bitterly, converting both of his arms into stingers. "How about you? What are you doing here on Earth after all this time?"

    "On a mission of our own. We had been detecting energon readings for a while... clearly that had been you. But we also detected what appeared to be Cybertronian technology." Barricade nodded to the humans now cowering behind Bumblebee. "Those creatures happen to have it. Hand it over and they won't be harmed."

    "Right, and I've got a space bridge to sell you." Bumblebee raised his stinger arms. "You'll have to do better than that."

    "We can, actually."

    At Barricade's signal, Runamuck and Runabout charged towards Bumblebee and collided into him, sending the yellow Autobot flying off his feet and landing hard on the road. As the four humans fled from the brewing conflict, the two Battlechargers approached Bumblebee menacingly.

    "Dibs on the head," Runabout grunted.

    "No fair, you always get the head," Runamuck retorted. "How about you get the legs this time?"

    Before Runabout could reply, Bumblebee raised a stinger arm and zapped the black Battlecharger in the face. With the Decepticons briefly distracted, Bumblebee got to his feet and rushed towards the four humans. Scooping them up with his arms, he pulled them towards him as he began to transform into vehicle mode. Once they were safely inside, he sped away.

    "What the heck was that?!" one of the humans screamed.

    "This must be a dream. This must be a dream. This must be a dream."

    "I knew I shouldn't have left home."

    Bumblebee quietly sighed. He was fully aware of the rebuke he would receive when he arrived at headquarters. But if the humans truly did have their hands on a piece of Cybertronian tech, he had to keep them out of danger. Besides, it would be worth investigating where the tech had originated from....

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

--The Present; Oregon, U.S.A.--

    "Do you believe in aliens?"

    It was the same question he had been hearing for years. It had been amusing at first, but over time, it started to get on his nerves. At some point it had come to a stop, only for it to start again just at the end of the school year.

    Spike Witwicky sighed as he slumped down on a sofa. "Not this again, Hunter."

    "Hear me out," his tall, red-headed friend said, placing a laptop on the coffee table in front of them. "I was out biking yesterday and--"

    "Don't tell me," Spike interrupted. "You found a 'UFO.' This is the same story you tricked me with when we were seven. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice--"

    "I'm serious this time," Hunter insisted. "Just... just look."

    He turned on the laptop and instantly brought up a grainy photo of two sports cars: one black and red, the other white. Spike leaned forward and scrutinized the photo only to find absolutely nothing unusual about them.

    "What am I supposed to be looking at?" he asked Hunter.

    "They're driving down a highway."

    "So?"

    "And they don't have any drivers."

    Spike's eyes went wide as he looked at the picture again, realizing the absence of drivers. "That's... bizarre. Wouldn't anyone else on the highway notice that?"

    "It was pretty late at night," Hunter said. "And they weaved though traffic pretty quickly like they were in a hurry."

    Spike slowly nodded before saying, "Wait, what were you doing by the highway?"

    "Visiting Jimmy at his garage. It's just off the road." Closing the laptop, Hunter looked around in a conspiratorial manner before saying quietly, "He says that he sees them drive by at least once everyday. Every. Single. Day."

    "Think it might mean something?"

    "Of course it means something! It's too bizarre for it not to. Anyway, Jimmy wants us to 'help him out' at the garage tomorrow and, you know, catch these cars in action. Would that be all right with your folks?"

    "Sure, I'll ask them. My dad is friends with Jimmy's, so I'm sure he'd be cool with it."

    As he got up from the sofa, he suddenly paused and then looked at Hunter questioningly. "Wait, what does this have to do with aliens?"

    "Everything."

*  *  *

    The bus rocked softly as it crossed the border between California and Oregon, heading into the latter. Dawn was just beginning to break as the sun emerged from beyond the horizon.

    Sitting near the driver, Verity Carlo anxiously waited for the bus to come to her stop. She did not like being in one place for a long time, even if it was a moving transport; she preferred being constantly on the move.

    Sighing quietly, she looked down at the small device she held in her hand. "Borrowed" from a shady-looking businessman a couple of days ago, she had been attracted to it by its unique, M-shaped symbol, the letter itself being surrounded by a gear shape. She had no idea what the device was or how to work it, but was determined to figure out its meaning.

    As the bus prepared to enter a highway, Verity pulled the pull cord over her head, forcing the bus to stop. After tipping the driver, she stepped off the bus and began trekking the off road, her eyes set on a car garage in the distance. For the most part, she ignored the loud roar of cars going down the highway, only sparing them brief glances.

    However, she let her gaze linger on a pair of sports cars- identical in model, but not color scheme- that zoomed right past her.

    Both of them lacked drivers.

    Her heart raced. Unsure if she had simply imagined it, Verity nonetheless quickened her pace.

*  *  *

    "There they go again," Jimmy Pink commented as two sports cars- the same ones Hunter had shown Spike- drove past the auto garage. "Every day is the same; they speed down the highway, slow down a bit as they pass here, and then speed off."

    Spike yawned as Jimmy said this; not out of boredom, but because Jimmy had asked them to arrive super early in the morning to help open up shop.

    "How long has it been like this?" he asked.

    Jimmy scratched the back of his head. "Um... since last month, actually. Right after Pop got me my car."

    Leaning against an old pickup truck under repair, Hunter's eyes went wide. "No way. You've got your own car? Where is it? What model is it?"

    "It's that old yellow Beetle out front," Jimmy said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. "Got it for cheap at a used car lot."

    "Think those sports cars are, like, connected to it or something?" Spike asked.

    Jimmy snorted. "Doubt it. Who'd be interested in an old, beat-up hatchba-"

    He was cut off when the doors to the shop swung open and a seventeen-year old girl rushed in, panting heavily as if she had just escaped from something.

    Smiling, Jimmy walked over to lean against the front counter. "Well, well, if it isn't Verity Carlo. What brings you all the way over here?" He grinned roguishly. "Was it my good looks? My charming personality?"

    Verity glared at him as she slapped down a gray object onto the counter. "This."

    Raising an eyebrow, Jimmy picked up the device- a handheld computer of sorts- and admired it, specifically eying the unique symbol on its cover. "What is this?"

    "I was hoping you'd tell me," Verity said. "You are an expert on more than just cars, right?"

    "Right," Jimmy murmured. He looked over the device before lifting his gaze to Verity. "Why were you in such a rush?"

    She glanced out the window before saying quietly, "I just saw these two sports cars driving down the highway. Neither of them had drivers."

    Jimmy smirked. "You too, huh? They've been driving by here everyday for a month now."

    "What do you think it could mean?"

    He shrugged. "They could be remote controlled and set on a predestined course. But it still doesn't explain--"

    "Uh, guys?" Hunter said, sounding alarmed. "I think we should run."

    Jimmy, Verity, and Spike all turned to look out the window... and saw the two driverless cars heading straight for the garage at full speed. All four kids dove for cover as the vehicles crashed through....

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XII, Prologue & Chapter One

PROLOGUE

--The Ark, 113 Years Ago--

    "Systems failing! Our engines are losing power!"

    "Divert energy from the shields and stabilize them!"

    "But that'll leave us vulnerable--"

    "Just do as I say!"

    He could hear the frantic cries of his crew. All around him, the Ark was in chaos as Decepticons swarmed in. Everything was falling apart.

    Brandishing his axe, Optimus Prime charged into the front lines, wildly swinging his weapon and cutting down Decepticon troopers. Regardless of how much damage had already been done, he would do what he could to ensure his teammates' safety.

    "Such heroic nonsense."

    He froze at the sound of the voice. Whirling around, he saw a gray and black figure striding towards him, armed with a mace and a primed fusion cannon. Scarlet optics flaring, Megatron sneered at his age-old nemesis.

    "Why do you continue fighting? Why do you insist on living?"

    Optimus narrowed his eyes at him. "Because I have something worth living for, Megatron. Can you say the same?"

    With a snarl, the Decepticon leader lunged.

--Earth, September 2013--

    The black SUV drove over rocks and pebbles as it cautiously approached the volcano. Sitting shotgun, Joshua Red felt tempted to rebuke the driver of the vehicle for venturing this close to a volcano, but decided against it, considering the volcano was not due to erupt for another six months.

    Bringing the SUV to a stop, Alexander Powers quickly undid his seat belt. "You have to believe me, Agent Red. If it was a prank, I would never take you all the way to Oregon to fall for it."

    "Your reputation says otherwise," Joshua said bitterly.

    Alexander rolled his eyes as he got out of the car. "Yes, but I've matured since then. Just come on...."

    Exiting the SUV as well, Joshua followed Alexander around the base of the mountain. The sun was shining bright and he could tell that something embedded into the volcano was gleaming in the sunlight. As they reached the other side of the mountain, he saw what it was:

    A massive starship, its orange hull worn with rust, jutting out stern-first.

    As he stared wide-eyes at Alexander's discovery, Joshua's fellow agent turned to him and smirked. "Does this make up for the incident in Lincoln?"

    Ignoring him, Joshua said, "Contact High Commander. We're going to need--"

    Suddenly, the ground rumbled. Both men looked up to see the mountain sharking, smoke coiling out of its crater.

    "What the-?" Alexander was astonished. "I thought Arkeville said--"

    "Even the best of us are wrong," Joshua said, rushing back to the SUV. "If your discovery here gets destroyed by the eruption, then this never happened, correct?"

    His fellow agent was too panicked to respond.

CHAPTER ONE

--The Ark, 113 Years Ago--

    "We've lost the engines!"

    Shooting at Vehicons from behind a fallen-over chair on the Ark's bridge, Jazz turned to Sideswipe incredulously. "What do you mean we've lost the engines?"

    The red Autobot glared at him from the Ark's controls. "They're gone. They're not working. I can't control them. I can't phrase it any other way, Jazz."

    As he fired a shot at a Vehicon over his shoulder, Jazz cursed under his breath. "Could we get Huffer and his pals to fix 'em?"

    "I doubt it," Sideswipe said grimly. "They're busted. Totally."

    Jazz grimaced. "Then I guess we soon will be as well."

--The Nemesis--

    "We've penetrated the Ark's shields at one hundred percent," Soundwave reported from his station on the Nemesis' bridge. "Their engines are--"

    "Don't bore me with the details, Soundwave," Starscream snapped. "Just keep firing on their ship until it's nothing but scrap."

    "But Megatron's still on it," Skywarp protested. "Shouldn't we wait for him to return?"

    "Oh, of course," the Air Commander said dryly. "Let us wait for our glorious leader while the Autobots get away."

    "I highly doubt they're in any condition to do so," Barricade noted. "I'm sure we have plenty of time."

    Starscream's eyes narrowed. "Regardless, press on the assault. I'm sure Lord Megatron will make it out in time."

--The Ark--

    "Weak!" Megatron roared as he threw a powerful punch into Optimus' face, shattering a piece of his mouthplate. "Nine centuries of war and you still don't know how to properly fight!"

    As Megatron threw another fist at him, Optimus dodged and shoved himself into the Decepticon leader, sending him into a wall. Megatron retaliated by grabbing either side of Optimus' head and smashing it with his own. As the Prime staggered back, Megatron raised his right arm and fired his mounted fusion cannon, hitting his nemesis square in the chest.

    "In our previous conflicts, you've always relied on your fellow Autobots to save you," the Decepticon tyrant growled as he stormed towards Optimus. "But where are they now? They're throwing away their lives for a lost cause- your cause, Prime. Their deaths are on your shoulders."

    He then sneered. "You say that you have something worth living for. But how can you live with yourself?"

    The reaction he received was exactly the one he wanted. Optimus cried out in a rage and lunged at his former brother. They collided and went tumbling to the floor in a tussle, Optimus pounding his fists into Megatron's face. The latter simply laughed.

    "Yes, brutality! Excellent, Prime! You would have made a fine Decepticon!"

    "No!" Optimus shouted, lifting Megatron's head up from the floor. "How dare you say that! I will never be one of you!"

    He then slammed the Decepticon's head back into the floor, though this did not stop the tyrant from laughing even more.

    "Oh, come now! We both had similar outlooks on life: we were both tired of the Functionists' system, we both wanted to forge a better world." He grinned like a madman. "There's little difference between you and me, brother."

    "Liar!" Optimus cried, punching Megatron in the face again. "I'm nothing like you! And you don't deserve to call me 'brother' ever again!"

    Just as he was about to finish off the Decepticon leader, the Ark suddenly shuddered violently and everyone on board was sent toppling over. Snapping out of the blind fury he had fallen into, Optimus broke away from Megatron and spoke into his comlink.

    "Bridge control, what's going on?"

    "We've been hit by an asteroid!" Sideswipe frantically replied. "We're on a direct crash course for some uncharted planet!"

    Overhearing this, Megatron laughed sadistically. "Looks like you've failed again, Prime! Now the deaths of a hundred Autobots are all on you!"

    Optimus felt his anger boil again, but he kept it in check. Turning to face his nemesis, he said, "What did they do to you, Optronix? When you reappeared after vanishing at Straxus' domain, you were completely changed. What did they do?"

    "They changed me for the better," Megatron snarled, rising to his feet. "They tore me apart and rebuilt me, better and stronger."

    Optimus sighed. "Then I was right. Optronix truly did die all those years ago."

    Megatron sneered. "If you miss him so much, then prepare to join him!"

    With that, he lunged and collided into Optimus again, even as the Ark trembled. 

--The Nemesis--

    "The Autobot ship is going down."

    His gaze glued to the Nemesis' viewport, Starscream watched as the Ark slowly went down in flames, spiraling on a gravitational pull towards a blue-green world up ahead. As he watched, a single thought ran through his head: Is Megatron still alive?

    What followed were visions of grandeur, born of his ambitions.

    Quickly breaking out of his reverie, Starscream calmly said, "Soundwave, try to make contact with Lord Megatron."

    The communications officer did so. All he received was static and then silence.

    Starscream masked his glee with a solemn expression. "Then I fear we must accept the truth: Megatron has perished."

    "Impossible!" Lugnut bellowed, storming forward. "Megatron is invincible! Unstoppable!"

    "Vehicons, please restrain him," Starscream ordered. "You know how he gets."

    As five Vehicons moved in to restrain the Decepticon brute, Starscream nodded to Brawl, the ship's chief gunner. "Fire at will."

    The Nemesis' cannons were ablaze, pounding the Ark with their firepower. Flames erupted everywhere on the Autobot ship and its plummet went out of control. Eventually, Starscream signaled Brawl to cease fire. All of the Decepticons then watched the Ark hurtle towards the planet as a fireball before vanishing from view.

    Breaking the heavy silence, Starscream said, "Fellow Decepticons, today is without a doubt a dark day. Our magnificent leader, Megatron, has perished. With him, however, went Optimus Prime and over a hundred Autobots. Thus, our victory in this war is assured."

    He then turned to face the others. "Nonetheless, it is with a heavy spark that I assume the mantle of Decepticon leader, if only to ensure that Megatron's vision of a prospering empire does not waver."

    He then turned his back on them again, allowing himself a rueful smirk to cross his face. "All hail Starscream."

PLANETFALL

Part 1: Down to Earth